Tessa is difficult to misspell, difficult to mispronounce, difficult to get wrong. “Tessie” was my nickname in elementary school and part of middle school, but now that I am older, it is hardly used. Tessa does not lend itself to many nicknames, some people call me “Tess,” maybe because they have too much to say to add the extra syllable, or they just forget. Either way, I know most of my nicknames are in the past, so just Tessa is fine. 

Tessa is a relatively unique name, I have only met a couple people in my life who are called the same. It is not a rough name, smooth, but with imperfections, like when you’re sliding your hand across a table and your fingers mold to the slight grooves in the wood. The double “s” can be quiet and roll off your tongue, or it can come out harsh, like a snake slithering through the grass. I do not like snakes, so just Tessa with a soft “ss” is fine. 

Tessa is a cool toned name. I like to think of it as purple, a deep, royal shade of purple, although the name has no royal ties at all. Blue and green are both contenders for the color, but not the finalist. The dark shade of purple may sometimes get confused with blue, but Tessa stands out, the T stands tall and confident, so although Tessa is not a royal name, it can be presented as such, strong and tall, perfectly symbolizing the color purple. And purple was my favorite color throughout elementary, middle, and the beginning of high school; green has taken its place, but purple will forever hold a special place in my heart. Purple is unique, purple is strong, purple is mighty. If purple symbolizes Tessa, then I suppose Tessa is fine.

Tessa may be a mild spring day. The sweet smell of flowers, the first flowers of the new year, are drifting in. It is almost Easter time, and the grocery stores are stocked full of them, bright colors, soft petals, and beautiful bouquets line the shelves as I walk in. It is a reminder of the coming summer, an escape from the icy winter that had come before. When I walk out of the store, I look up to feel the bright sun on my face, the warm rays bring life into my body that winter had stolen. A cool breeze drifts by, bringing with it the same sugary smell from before, spring has surely arrived. So if Tessa may symbolize the new spring, pretty flowers, and a reminder that the world keeps going, then I suppose Tessa may be beautiful.